Kidnapping of timber workers could deter investors
Kidnapping of timber workers could deter investors
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): It is feared that the kidnapping of
eleven timber company workers, including a Korean national, in
Irian Jaya's westernmost town of Merauke, will affect the
business climate in the mineral-rich province, Governor JP
Salossa said on Thursday.
"The incident creates an image among foreign investors that
the province is insecure," the governor said, adding that non-
violent efforts to resolve the situation, including negotiations,
are preferable.
"We don't want militaristic settlement (of the situation). We
are talking about people's lives," he said, stressing that he
deeply regretted the kidnapping.
Trikora Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. Siregar confirmed
that eleven workers of PT Korindo were taken hostage on Tuesday
by a group of armed men, who are members of the Merauke-based
separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM) led by William Onde.
The drama took place in the district of Asiki, in the regency
of Merauke, when the timber workers were heading for their base
camp at 7 p.m. local time.
The kidnappers demanded US$1 million in compensation for
environmental damage, the withdrawal of police mobile brigade
forces from the district of Asiki, and a total halt to logging.
The victims include Kun Kwan (a Korean), Hadi Sunarto,
Fransiskus, Markus, Malik Maja, Samsul, Dominggus, Fransisco Yae,
William, Sugiyono and Samuel.
A Trikora Military Command team was sent to Merauke on
Wednesday.
Unconfirmed reports claim that the government of Indonesia
will not fulfill the kidnappers' demands, while military sources
claim that OPM members will take up arms if Indonesian troops
attempt to approach their post.
The OPM post is located close to PT Korindo's compound in
Merauke.
The Korean Embassy in Jakarta said on Thursday that it had
received reports on the kidnapping of Kun Kwan.
First Secretary Lee Chang-ho told The Jakarta Post by phone
that a report to his country had been made.
He said that he believed the Indonesian authorities would take
appropriate steps to free the hostages.
The OPM has been promoting efforts to separate from Indonesia
since the easternmost province of Irian Jaya, formerly known as
Irian Barat, was integrated as part of Indonesia in the 1960s.
(35/sur)